McCollum Introduces Global Child Survival Bill to Prevent Millions of Needless Child Deaths
Press Release
McCollum Introduces Global Child Survival Bill to Prevent Millions of Needless Child Deaths
U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) introduced legislation in the House of Representatives today to dramatically increase U.S. investment in saving the lives of newborns, children under five and mothers in the world's poorest countries. The United States Commitment to Global Child Survival Act of 2007 (H.R. 2266) proposes a $5.9 billion investment in saving young lives in at least 60 developing countries over five years.
This year an estimated 10.1 million children in poor countries will die before they reach their fifth birthday. Simple, affordable interventions, including antibiotics, vaccines, bed nets, exclusive breastfeeding and vitamins, could save as many as 6 million lives every year. A global commitment of only $25 per child or $1.62 per person could prevent these young deaths in 60 priority countries.
"Millions of children are dying needlessly and we know it. We can save these newborns and toddlers with low-cost interventions Americans take for granted," Rep. McCollum said today. "With U.S. leadership, we have the power and resources to save lives. All we need now is the political will from Congress and the President. Child survival needs to be a U.S. priority and this bill makes it a priority."
Save the Children, which recently released a report on high child mortality in Iraq and other poor nations, endorsed the Child Survival Act as a strong solution. "This legislation invests in the proven tools we have, and puts the United States squarely behind the countries, communities and families that need our support," said President and CEO Charles MacCormack. The ONE Campaign and other major global development advocates also support H.R. 2266.
"The United States Commitment to Global Child Survival Act of 2007" calls for:
* Investing $5.9 billion over 5 years in proven, low-cost, highly effective interventions that will save the lives of newborns, children under five, and mothers.
* Developing a comprehensive U.S. strategy for reducing child and maternal mortality around the world.
* Establishing an inter-agency taskforce to maximize the U.S. ability to leverage investments to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (Goals 4 and 5) of reducing child mortality by two-thirds and maternal mortality by three-quarters.
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